ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
President's Secretariat
Remarks by the Hon’ble President of India Shri Ram Nath Kovind on the occasion of unveiling of the bust of Mahatma Gandhi at Miriam college, Quezon City
1. I am delighted to be visiting the Philippines. Our ties with your country and your people are not just special, but one that we keep very close to our hearts. It is a friendship that we celebrate and cherish always.
2. This year the world celebrated the 150th birth anniversary of the Father of the Indian Nation, the apostle of peace and non-violence, Mahatma Gandhi. Today, I feel honoured to unveil his bust in the Philippines – the land of the brave Jose Rizal. I thank Miriam College for giving a place of respect to Mahatma Gandhi in its campus. Both Mahatma Gandhi and Jose Rizal believed in the power of peace and non-violence. The avenue in New Delhi named after your national hero continues to inspire and motivate us.
3. I deeply appreciate this opportunity to celebrate the legacy of the Mahatma at the Centre for Peace Education – a Centre that promotes a culture of peace through education and advocacy. The venue could not have been more appropriate. No doubt, generations of students who pass through your gates will continue to be inspired by his legacy, of being just and ethical in conduct; compassionate and humble in treating fellow human beings; and standing up and championing truth and truth alone, even in most trying times.
4. I was also touched to hear the rendition of Mahatma Gandhi’s favourite hymn – Vaishnava Jana To Tene Kahiye – by the famous Filipino singer, Grace NoNo. This year, the hymn was sung in over 150 countries, as a fitting tribute to a man who embraced entire humanity as one indivisible family. The hymn describes a good human-being as one who reaches out to those in pain and suffering. Indeed, the world would be a much better place if only we had such empathy for each other.
5. This bust of Mahatma Gandhi is a gift from the people of India to you. But the Mahatma belongs to all peoples, all cultures and all societies. May he continue to guide us in our shared journey of peace, harmony and sustainable development for all.
6. I would once again like to thank Miriam College and all those who have contributed to organizing this special event. I depart from the Philippines tomorrow, but will always treasure your warmth and friendship.
Thank you!
Cabinet
Cabinet approves MoU between India and Bangladesh for fairway development of Ashuganj-Zakiganj stretch of Kushiyara river and Sirajganj-Daikhawa stretch of Jamuna river in the Indo-Bangladesh protocol route
The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved MoU between India and Bangladesh for fairway development of Ashuganj-Zakiganj stretch of Kushiyara river and Sirajganj-Daikhawa stretch of Jamuna river in the Indo-Bangladesh protocol route by undertaking necessary dredging jointly by the two countries.
The MoU will considerably reduce the logistics cost of cargo movement to North Eastern India. It will also reduce the congestion through the Siliguri Chicken’s Neck corridor.
Special Service and Features
Seizure of 345 grams of Gold rod valued at Rs. 16.49 lakhs by Chennai Air Customs
On 23.11.2022, One male passenger who arrived from Dubai by Emirates Airlines flight no. EK-542 was intercepted by Air Customs Officers. On examination of his baggage, 15 nos. of gold rods of different size was found concealed in stainless steel pipe inside the handle rod of stroller suitcase, resulting in recovery of 345 grams of Gold of of 24K purity valued at Rs. 16.43 lakhs was recovered seized from the passenger under the Customs Act, 1962.
Furher investigation is under progress, according to a press release issued by M.Mathew Jolly, Principal Commissioner of Customs Chennai International Airport.
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Ministry of Tribal Affairs
TRIFED holds meeting through video conference with VDVK partners on the theme “Livelihoods with Health Security”
A meeting was held by TRIFED through video conference with all 26 state partners, 3 UTs and reps of Van DhanVikas Kendra  Clusters on 27th April, 2021 on the theme “Livelihoods with Health Security”.
Nearly 600 participants were present at the meeting. The country Head UNICEF, Sidharth Sreshtha and his team also participated and explained the Covid protocols.
State wise status abovewas reviewed and shared with all the participants.
It was decided to follow and promote all Covid related protocols and work tirelessly to achieve full fruition of the 33,340 VDVKs established under 2224 Clusters which will also be trained for Promoting Covid protocols in respective villages.
Almost 130 best practices were also shared with all participants to learn and replicate them.
It was also decided to organise weekly meeting by TRIFED with all State Partners to update and review progress of each VDVK and optimise outcomes.
Ministry of Power
NHPC Explores Power Projects in Union Territory of Ladakh
With a view to leverage development of Hydro and Solar Power Projects in Union Territory of Ladakh, Shri A.K. Singh, CMD, NHPC, the Central PSU under Ministry of Power called on Shri R.K. Mathur, the Lt. Governor of UT of Ladakh on 29.05.2020 at J&K Bhawan, New Delhi. The meeting was held to discuss NHPC’s proposals and way forward on implementation of various identified Hydro and Solar Power Projects in Leh-Ladakh region.
During the discussion, CMD, NHPC intimated the Lt. Governor about achievement of NHPC in harnessing Hydro Power potential of Ladakh region by commissioning 45 MW Nimmo Bazgo in Leh and 44 MW Chutak Hydro Power Projects in Kargil. He also presented future plan of NHPC to develop 3 nos. Hydro Power Projects viz. Khalsi , Kanyunche  and Takmaching  in Ladakh along with a solar power project of capacity 50 MW at Phyang. While explaining the techno-commercial viability of projects, CMD, NHPC proposed that taking advantage of high solar irradiance of the region, blending of Hydro Power with Solar Power may also be explored.
The Lt. Governor appreciated the efforts made by NHPC in commissioning two nos. of Hydro Power Projects and maintaining smooth Operation and Maintenance of these projects in spite of tough conditions. He also encouraged NHPC to have an in depth analysis of techno-commercial viability of future projects and assured for all possible supports from UT of Ladakh in order to facilitate expeditious development of these power projects by NHPC.
Ministry of Education
Initiatives taken by the Government to promote girls and women across the country
As per All India Survey on Higher Education , the overall enrolment of female students in higher education has been consistently increasing over the years. Table below gives female, male and total enrolment in higher education between 2015-16 and 2019-20. The enrolment of females has increased by about 18% from 1.60 crore in 2015-16 to 1.89 crore in 2019-20.
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Enrolment in Higher Education from 2015-16 to 2019-20
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Year
|
|
Enrolment
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Growth  in enrolment over the previous year
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% Female enrolment
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Female
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Male
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Total
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Female
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Male
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Total
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2015-16
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15990058
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18594723
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34584781
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||
||
||
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46.2
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|
2016-17
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|
16725310
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18980595
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35705905
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4.6
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|
2.1
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3.3
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46.8
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2017-18
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|
17437703
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|
19204675
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|
36642378
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|
4.3
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1.2
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2.5
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47.6
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2018-19
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|
18189500
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|
19209888
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|
37399388
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4.3
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0.0
|
|
2.2
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48.6
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2019-20
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|
18892612
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|
19643747
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|
38536359
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3.9
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2.3
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|
3.0
|
|
49.0
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Growth  in enrolment during 2015-16 to 2019-20
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|
18.2
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|
5.6
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|
11.3
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|
|
|

The steps taken/being taken by the Government to promote education among girls and women are as follows:
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- Issuing of new UGC regulation for Open and Distance Learning that allows entry of reputed institutions to offer education on the distance mode.
- Use of ICT technology- SWAYAM portal to take the best teaching resources to all, including the most disadvantaged.
- Opening of more centrally funded institutions.
- Encouraging opening of institutions by State Governments through the Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan  which aims to achieve equity, access and excellence in higher education. The scheme supports components such as upgrading autonomous colleges to universities, clustering colleges to establish a university, setting up of new professional colleges in un-served and underserved areas as well as providing infrastructure grants to universities and colleges to scale up capacity.
- More scholarship programmes to supplement the cost of education.
- Additionally, as per the recommendations of National Education Policy , 2020, the following steps are being initiated by the Government to ensure equitable access to the highest quality of education for all learners, especially women, regardless of social or economic background:
- A Gender Inclusion Fund will be constituted by Government of India to provide quality and equitable education to all girls. The fund will focus on ensuring 100% enrolment of girls in Schooling and a record participation rate in higher education.
- Free hostel facilities will be made available for all women.
- New multi-disciplinary HEIs  will be opened in or near every district.
- Special scholarships for women/transgender/ divyang will be introduced.
- Guidelines and advisories will be issued and monitoring mechanism will be put in place to ensure basic facilities amenities and safe, secure environment in all HEIs for women.
The information was given by the Union Minister of Education, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.
Ministry of Finance
Finance Minister Nirmala Sithraman to dedicate to the nation Dharohar – the National Museum of Customs and GST in Goa
Panaji / Mumbai | June 9, 2022
Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman would be dedicating to the nation ‘Dharohar’ – the National Museum of Customs and GST in Panaji, Goa on Saturday, as part of the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav Iconic Week celebration of the Ministry of Finance.
Dharohar is housed in Panaji’s famous Blue Building on the banks of the Mandovi River. The two storey building, which was earlier known as Alfandega, during the period of Portuguese rule in Goa, has been standing at this place for more than 400 years.
Dharohar is one of its kind museums in the country that showcases not only the artefacts seized by Indian Customs across the country but also depicts basic customs procedures for the knowledge of general public. Notable among its displays are the handwritten manuscript of Ain-i-Akbari, replica of Amin pillars, seized metal and stone artefacts, ivory items and wildlife items.
The recent addition comes in the form of the GST gallery that showcases journey of making of Goods and Services Tax, the most historical Indirect taxation reform of New India.
Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
Steps taken to popularise Kabaddi
For making Kabaddi popular, the Government has taken following initiatives / measures:
 The sports facilities of Sports Authority of India  and Lakshmibai National Institute of Physical Education, Gwalior and Guwahati have been made available free of cost for sports including Kabaddi for organising training programmes and sporting events.
 Inclusion of Kabaddi in Khelo India Youth Games and Khelo India University Games.
 126 athletes  of Kabaddi have been selected under Talent Search and Development vertical of Khelo India Scheme for Long Term Athlete Development Programme.
 Coaching of sportspersons of Kabaddi discipline in SAI facilities.
 Grant of requisite permission to the organizers of various Kabaddi leagues.
Further, for promotion and development of Kabaddi, the Ministry is supplementing the efforts of the Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India by providing support for training and competitive exposure within country and abroad.
Inclusion of any sport discipline in the Olympic Games is decided by the International Olympic Committee . Among other things, IOC has prescribed that a sport discipline must be governed by an International Federation which undertakes to follow the rules of the Olympic Charter and it must also be practised widely across the world and meet various criteria. It is for the International Kabaddi Federation to take required steps for inclusion of Kabaddi in Olympic Games.
This Information was given by the Minister of State  for Youth Affairs and Sports, Shri Kiren Rijiju in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.
Ministry of Road Transport & Highways
Nhai Signs MoU with NIIF for funding highway projects
Shri Gadkari Says, Road Sector Can Help Achieve Prime Minister’s Dream Of Making India A Five Trillion Dollar Economy
National Highways Authority of India  today signed an MoU with National Investment and Infrastructure Fund  in the presence of Shri Nitin Gadkari, Minister of Road Transport & Highways and Gen  V K Singh, MoS. NIIF is a fund promoted by Government of India to give boost to the infrastructure sector in the country. The MoU is related to co-operation in formation of SPVs to execute the fund arrangement for large size road projects particularly green field projects to be executed by NHAI in future.
Speaking on the occasion, Shri Gadkari said, NHAI is raising finances for its mega projects, and is not dependent only upon budgetary support. Several funding models were adopted in the past towards this, which have yielded good results. He hailed the MoU and expressed hope that it will provide innovative financial models including for the 24,000 km 7.5 lakh crore Bharatmala Pariyojana. The Minister exuded confidence that the road sector can contribute in a big way in achieving the Prime Minister’s dream of making India a five trillion dollar economy.
Gen  V K Singh welcomed the coming together of two big entities – NHAI and NIIF, and expressed satisfaction at the pace of development in the country’s infrastructure sector.
This arrangement of innovative alternate source of funding is being looked into by NHAI to attract international investors and fund houses who are willing to invest in road projects in India but not very keen to take risk related to the project execution. This arrangement is expected to bring huge amount of investment at economical rate for highway development in India and reduce the stress of borrowing on NHAI balance sheet also.
Ministry of Road Transport & Highways
Shri Nitin Gadkari approves upgradation and rehabilitation work of NH-25 in Barmer, Rajasthan worth Rs.235.15 crore
Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Shri Nitin Gadkari in a series of tweets informed that the upgradation and rehabilitation work of NH-25 Extension to 2-lane with paved shoulder of Ghagaria-Munabao section of District Barmer in Rajasthan has been approved under EPC mode at a cost of Rs.235.15 crore.
He said the project passes through backward districts of Rajasthan, improvement of the project route will lead to economic development of the region and congestion free traffic movement.The project will improve connectivity to NH-68 , NH-25  and NH-925 , he added.
Shri Gadkari said NH-25  provides link to Bharatmala road network running parallel to International Border connecting Munabao-Dhanana-Tanot . It also connects Munabao to Barmer district headquarters where several military bases are located. He said this national highway is very important from strategic point of view to provide logistics to Munabao  which is currently single lane.
MJPS
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Ministry of Railways
RUNNING OF SPECIAL TRAINS BY SOUTH EASTERN RAILWAY
Kolkata, November 6, 2021
South Eastern Railway  authority has decided to run the following five Special trains as per the schedule given below:-
08043/08044 Howrah-Bhadrak-Howrah Special 
The 08043 Howrah-Bhadrak Special will leave Howrah daily except Saturday from November 9, 2021 at 3.40 pm and will reach Bhadrak at 10.35 pm at night. In the return direction, the 08044 Bhadrak-Howrah Special will depart Bhadrak daily except Sunday from November 10, 2021 at 04.50 am and will reach Howrah at 11.45 am.
08071/08072 Kharagpur-Tatanagar-Kharagpur Special 
The 08071 Kharagpur-Tatanagar Special will leave Kharagpur daily from November 9, 2021 at 11.45 am and will reach Tatanagar at 2.50 pm in the afternoon. In the return direction, the 08072 Tatanagar-Kharagpur Special will depart Tatanagar daily from November 10, 2021 at 6.05 pm and will reach Kharagpur at 9.20 pm at night.
08037/08038 Kharagpur-Jajpur Keonjhar Road-Kharagpur Special 
The 08037 Kharagpur-Jajpur Keonjhar Road Special will leave Kharagpur daily from November 12, 2021 at 4.15 pm and will reach Jajpur Keonjhar Road at 9.40 pm at night. In the return direction, the 08038 Jajpur Keonjhar Road-Kharagpur Special will depart Jajpur Keonjhar Road daily from November 13, 2021 at 06.10 am and will reach Kharagpur at 11.00 am.
08151/08152 Tatanagar-Barkakana-Tatanagar Special 
The 08151 Tatanagar-Barkakana Special will leave Tatanagar daily from November 9, 2021 at 3.15 pm and will reach Barkakana at 9.25 pm at night. In the return direction, the 08152 Barkakana-Tatanagar Special will depart Barkakana daily from November 10, 2021 at 04.30 am and will reach Tatanagar at 10.20 am.
08141/08142 Tatanagar-Katihar-Tatanagar Special 
The 08141 Tatanagar-Katihar Special will leave Tatanagar on Wednesday and Saturday from November 10, 2021 at 9.25 pm at night and will reach Katihar at 2.55 pm, the next day. In the return direction, the 08142 Katihar-Tatanagar Special will depart Katihar on Friday and Monday from November 12, 2021 at 2.00 pm in the afternoon and will reach Tatanagar at 06.20 hrs, the next day.
Special Service and Features
AATMA NIRBHAR BHARAT ROZGAR YOJANA Govt to contribute 24 per cent wages as EPF for new employees
Covid 19 pandemic lockdown has led to loss of steady income for many daily wagers. Many people have lost jobs as small and micro enterprises have been closed down. Union government has announced many Aatma Nirbhar schemes to make people self-reliant and revitalize the economy. Union Finance Minister had announced the launching of Aatma Nirbhar Bharat Rozgar Yojana to give incentive for employment especially to those who lost their jobs during covid 19 pandemic lockdown. The beneficiaries under the new employment scheme include any new employee in EPFO registered enterprise with monthly wages less than Rs 15000. EPF members who lost their job between March 1 this year and September 30, 2020 and got job after October 1 with monthly salary less than Rs 15000 can also benefit under the scheme.
Union government will give incentives to establishments registered with EPFO by contributing on their behalf in EPFO fund. The scheme will be operational till 30th June next year. Government will also give subsidy for two years for new eligible employees engaged after October 1, 2020. For establishments up to 1000 employees, 12 percent of wages as employee’s contributions and 12 per cent of wages as employer’s contributions will be given by Union government. For establishments with more than 1000 employees, only 12 per cent of wages as employee's contribution will be given by government. The subsidy support will be credited upfront in Aadhaar seeded EPFO Account  of eligible new employee.
This scheme has been welcomed by many employees and entrepreneurs in Tiruchirapalli. Shri Narayanan an employee in a private firm says that this scheme will definitely incentivise small enterprises to give new jobs. However he says that the monthly salary ceiling of Rs 15000 should be raised so as to benefit more employees. He also urged the government to remove all the conditions so that all employees and enterprises will be benefited by the scheme. Aatma Nirbhar Bharat rozgar yojana encourages enterprises in giving job opportunities to new employees. This will resurge the financial condition of economically affected persons during covid 19 pandemic lockdown. The subsidy help from union government will definitely help create new job opportunities and starting of new enterprises.
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Ministry of Finance
Ministry of Finance clarification on Vodafone arbitration appeal
A speculative news story being circulated in some section of media claiming that Attorney General has given opinion in favour of not appealing in the Vodafone Arbitration award is totally incorrect and without any factual basis.
Award along with all options are under examination within the Ministry and further course of action will be decided based on such examination.
Ministry of Defence
14th India-Singapore Defence Policy Dialogue via video conferencing
The 14th India-Singapore Defence Policy Dialogue  was held via video conferencing here today. It was co-chaired by Defence Secretary Dr Ajay Kumar and Permanent Secretary , Singapore Mr Chan Heng Kee.
Both sides held discussions on a number of issues of bilateral defence engagements between India and Singapore. Both sides committed to further enhance the security partnership between the two countries.
At the end of the DPD, the Implementing Arrangement on Humanitarian Assistance & Disaster Relief  between India and Singapore was also signed.
ABB/SS/Nampi/KA/DK/Savvy/ADA
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Ministry of Defence
EXPEDITION LAUNCHED BY WNC TO RECOVER THE TWO CLIMBERS LOST DURING AN ATTEMPT TO SUMMIT MT TRISHUL LAST YEAR
As part of Swarnim Vijay Varsh celebrations, the Western Naval Command had launched an expedition to Mount Trishul in September 2021. During the summit attempt, a sudden and unexpected avalanche had caused the lead team of five naval personnel, Lt Cdr Rajanikant Yadav NM, Lt Cdr Yogesh Tiwari, Lt Cdr Anant Kukreti, Lt Cdr Shashank Tewari NM, Hariom MCPO II  NM and Sherpa Dupka Tshering NM, to suffer a fatal fall, resulting in their unfortunate demise. While the mortal remains of four climbers were recovered, two climbers, a naval officer and the sherpa, remained missing. The search operation to locate them had to be discontinued after 13 days of intense effort due to onset of foul weather and winter that made the endeavour unsafe.
In true testimony to the ethos of the Service, an expedition has been launched on 10 August 2022 to recover the two climbers that were lost in the mountain, reiterating that the Indian Navy does not leave any of its own behind.
On this solemn occasion, a Trishul Memorial was instituted in memory of the fallen and will serve as inspiration to future generations of adventurers in the Indian Navy. The Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Vice Admiral Ajendra Bahadur Singh, and other senior officers paid tribute and homage to the lost personnel by lighting candles at the Memorial.
Family members of the bravehearts were also felicitated during the event. The family of the missing sherpa was, in addition, handed a financial aid package as some measure of relief.
These brave men will be forever remembered fondly.
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MK/VM/JSN
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Prime Minister's Office
PM greets people on Guru Purnima
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has greeted the people on the auspicious occasion of Guru Purnima.
In a tweet, the Prime Minister said;
"गुरु पूर्णिमा के पावन अवसर पर देशवासियों को हार्दिक बधाई।"